The basics of servers.....

I'm going to soon be in need of setting up my own servers.

I'm familiar with the idea of basically turning a regular computer into a server, but I want to know more about "real" servers; computers setup to be a server, as well as rackmount servers too.

I understand most of the specs are generally the same - but here's a few questions I have

1. What is considered as of now, a decent enough processor speed for a server, something recieving a high amount of traffic, to medium traffic range. I know this is much different from a PC speed since the work is specific.

2. What would you recommend in terms of having multiple servers with a division of the needed space versus having all the space to the least amount of servers.

3. In the case of servers, how advantageous is it to get SCSI versus IDE?

4. I'm also trying to understand the options for an internet connection to the servers. Of course I can use a HUB to connect them, but if someone is running servers for a business, but at home - and doesn't have money for a T-line or something, what options (in a big city area) are available for handling larger bandwidths, in terms of both a company and hardware bought by me.

5. How rare is it for one to build a server themself, starting with a simple kit? I guess servers really are bare-bones in comparison to PCs, but I've never seen major PC dealers carry components like server (rack) cases and things.

Thanks guys - If you have any good online sources for understanding more about servers, server networking, and high-bandwidth internet connections I'd appreciate it.

The requirements depend on what you are going to be serving, and what sort of traffic you are expecting. Look at specs for dell and other manufacturers to see what's available for the price you want.
Same with division of servers. If you are going to have lots of traffic, you'll want to divide up the functions between servers, or if you don't want to risk having all your data in the same place (raid 1 could help then too).
SCSI is a lot faster than IDE, so if you're going to be accessing and moving lots of data, SCSI is going to be better. Also check out some of the quality SATA raid controllers, which can approach SCSI performance for lower price.
Bandwidth you'll have to talk to your local ISPs. High end cable esp. can get 2mbps+, which might be enough.
You could build your own, newegg sells rackmounts and such. If you are experienced and competent, you could save by building your own. However, in a high-use business setting, the service and warranty of a Dell or other "name" server could be worth the extra $$, so that you can quickly get your stuff fixed/replaced if it breaks.
HTH, if you need more help, go into some more detail as to what you are planning to do.

Dave - thanks. Yeah I can tell you more about it. The level of traffic I'm "hoping" for is extremely high. In otherwords our prospective market is merely a function of our marketing, and advertising. This could potetial be 100's of thousands of unique visitors a month. But not initially, and I want to be prepared for additions of both processing power and space.

I did look at dell.com and get an idea. I'm not so much looking at a price as looking at the best way to be able to, as I said, prepare for higher levels of traffic. Since it's a commercial site, more traffic means the servers would essentially be paid for by revenue......except the initial investment.

I was also learning about things like RAID for backups etc..

If you need some figures, I can say that the site technology+db is is only a medium commercial size - but the vast majority of the space is going to come from photos on the server that the users will be accessing.

When a user visits the commercial site, there is a great deal of php involved, as much as say, a php based forum. Users have profiles, and so the db is a function of how many people go to the site.

My initial investment will certainly only need to be a single server, perhaps with a 250 gig drive. If all goes well, our estimate is that we would need as much as 4 tb's - but again, this would also mean they would be paid by revenue!

I think your statement that more traffic means the processing should be divided is exactly what I am wondering.

Perhaps you could give some examples of how a higher-traffic site would split space versus processing.

For instance would 250 gigs for a 2 gig processor be considered a low ratio, or high etc... that's where my question lies....

Also you mentioned that having warranty is a good thing to consider in this case. What aspects of a server are usually problematic from traffic? I would guess that, as long as a low temperature is maintained, the HDD itself is more at risk from simple problems. What other aspects?

I will look into costs for building versus buying.

Thanks hope I narrowed my questions, appreciate the helP!

Maybe if you provide me with some general spec ranges to start with. For instance can I rule out any other mobo than a regular ATX - or do I need to focus on the 1U....

I don't think I need a high-end procesor per server for space, but what is too little for say, a 120 gig HDD.

I think I can work with 120 gig to start......

Can I rule out a celeron since I've heard nothing good about them - or are they better for servers than pcs?

Anyhow - dying for help

Article on DIY rackserver: http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20040320/index.html

Awesome man thanks - I'm reading this and takin' notes

I PMed the person you recommended, but he said "I have no idea!", so I PMed Admin........awaiting return.

But this looks good!